New software is allowing Winnipeg police to use automated image matching to cut down the amount of time officers have to spend looking at child pornography.

The Winnipeg force has seized several million images and videos of children being sexually abused since its internet child exploitation unit was launched in 2001.In the past, investigators were forced to view each photograph or video individually to identify potential victims and categorize the images for court purposes.The new software, which the force has been testing for more than a year, allows police to “fingerprint” and categorize known images of child abuse, then store them in a database.

The database currently includes about 12 million image “fingerprints,” which are matched against newly seized, uncategorized images, thereby reducing the officers’ exposure to much of the horrifying material.

Meanwhile a Liberal too, Ont. Senator’s aide charged with violent sex assault Canada.com –A senior aide to Liberal Senator Art Eggleton has been charged in connection with what police described as a violent sexual assault.Robert Meinzer, 38, is facing nine criminal charges, including forcible confinement, sexual assault, choking, sodomy and extortion. He is also charged with break and enter with intent, sexual assault, assault, and two counts of assault with a weapon.Before joining Eggleton’s office, Meinzer worked as special assistant, parliamentary affairs and appointments, for then-Minister of Social Development Ken Dryden. He also served in Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women Jean Augustine’s Hill office as an assistant for about nine months.